Is the facial bone wall critical to achieving esthetic outcomes in immediate implant placement with immediate restoration? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation in the anterior region requires specific conditions for success, such as the presence of papilla, emergence profile, and balance between pink and white esthetic. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the esthetic risk associated with immediate implant placement with immediate restoration in the anterior superior area, where the facial bone plate may be absent or deficient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The search was done in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases. The investigation involved clinical studies and observational studies published between January 2012 and July 2023. Studies were excluded if there was less than 12-month follow-up, no immediate restoration or facial defect, heavy smokers, or systemic disease. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I and Modified-Cochrane RoB tools. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. The thinner the facial plate, the higher the alveolus's risk of gingival recession or shrinkage. There was an increased interproximal recession when the thin phenotype was associated with flap surgery. An increase in pink esthetic score (PES) was reached when immediate implant placement (IIP) and immediate restoration were done. Soft tissue augmentation achieved more gingival-level stability. Regardless of the initial phenotype, an esthetic outcome was delivered. The risk of bias was high in 1 study and moderate in 3 studies. CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that esthetic results and increased final PES or patient satisfaction index in IIP treatments associated with immediate restoration could be obtained even in buccal bone wall defects or gingival recession, regardless of their extension.